Aftab Puravel receives a big boost with Obama endorsement

Indian American Aftab Puravel’s bid to oust the well-entrenched Republican Congressman Steve Chabot from Ohio’s first congressional district received a big boost Wednesday, when former President Barack Obama endorsed him.

The Hamilton County Courts clerk is one of the dozens of Democrats the former president — who’s considered the de facto leader of the party — endorsed via twitter in what’s billed as the “first wave of mid-term endorsements.”

Last week, political analyst Larry Sabato’s “Crystal Ball” moved the district to the “Toss up” column, indicating that it will be one of the dozens of districts that will decide which party will control Congress after November. Previously, Sabato had deemed Ohio-1 as “Likely Republican.”

“President Obama inspired me to get involved in public service,” Puravel, a rising star within the Ohio Democratic Party, tweeted on Wednesday. “It is surreal and incredible to have his endorsement. As he told us, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Change starts with us. And in 100 days, we’re going to make it happen here. #FiredUp #ReadyToGo”

President Obama inspired me to get involved in public service. It is surreal and incredible to have his endorsement. As he told us, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Change starts with us. And in 100 days, we’re going to make it happen here. #FiredUp#ReadyToGohttps://t.co/ooTofsqZXI

“Today I’m proud to endorse such a wide and impressive array of Democratic candidates – leaders as diverse, patriotic, and big-hearted as the America they’re running to represent,” Obama tweeted to his 102 million followers.

In a follow up tweet, the former president added: “I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law. But first, they need our votes.”

Pureval is the only Indian American endorsed by Obama on Wednesday. In all, the previous occupant of the White House endorsed more than 80 Democrats who are running for various state and federal offices that include governor, lieutenant governor, US Senate and US House of Representatives.

Pureval, who won the Democratic primary unopposed, has so far outraised Chabot by more than 2 to 1 margin, campaign finance data by the Center for Responsive Politics shows. Through June 30, he raised more than $1.5 million, compared to $950,000 raised by the congressman.

Pureval, 35, is the son of an Indian father and Tibetan mom. He is a former Special Assistant US Attorney for the Department of Justice and the first Democrat to get elected as the Hamilton County Courts clerk in a hundred years.